A surprising entrepreneurial spirit is taking flight across Australia as young people turn pandemic-era hobbies into nature-based pursuits that don't require government funding or intervention. Birdwatching is booming, and the surge is bringing more young people to Broome Bird Observatory near Broome in Western Australia's Kimberley.
Broome Bird Observatory warden Jamie Van Jones said the increased interest from young people was "fantastic." She's getting lots of passionate young people through the observatory, lots of young people on tour with a list of birds they want to see. The stereotype has changed. "If you talk stereotypes around birdwatchers, it's khaki clothes, binoculars and cameras, a bum bag — a dorky look," she said. "That's changed."
A Self-Directed Movement
Ms Van Jones said birdwatchers were enthusiasts of any age who travelled widely to find new birds and experience nature. She's been a wildlife guide around the world for a decade and spent the past two years at the Broome Bird Observatory. The charitable organisation is dedicated to research and education on shorebirds, such as godwits and knots, which migrate between Roebuck Bay and the Northern Hemisphere.
People are craving to be outside, according to Ms Van Jones. "It's about being connected to the outdoor world, and when you're birding, you're in the moment," she said. The trend represents individuals taking responsibility for their own well-being and recreation without relying on taxpayer-funded programs or institutional support.
The increase in young Aussies birdwatching is attributed to pandemic lockdowns forcing people to slow down and take up "nana technology" hobbies like knitting, crochet or baking bread. Ella Kerr scrolls through her phone looking at lists of birds she's seen or checking their identity on an app. The 29-year-old Melbourne woman caught the birdwatching bug during long COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns five to six years ago. "There were just all these birds … I was seeing parts of our environment I hadn't noticed until then," she said.
Economic Ripple Effects
Ms Kerr planned her holiday to Darwin and Broome around birdwatching and was keen to tick some birds unique to northern Australia off her list. "I like that it gets me out into nature, just listening to the sounds," she said. "And when you see a new bird, it's even more exciting." That sentiment is shared by 21-year-old Will Vasic, who travelled from Melbourne to work at the Broome Bird Observatory. "I never really thought I'd get into it at such a young age," he said. "But it's got me places where I never thought I'd go."
The movement is driving tourism dollars to regional Australia. Birdwatching has been dubbed a "new form of meditation" in Hollywood, as celebrities embrace the pastime and podcast about it. Young birdwatchers are enthusiastically posting their sights on social media.
Grassroots Innovation
Callum Wells formed the Talbot Bay Birdwatching Club (TBBC) in the remote Kimberley about one year ago with friends. "We're trying to break down that stigma from it being a bit nerdy to getting out there looking for birds is something that everyone should appreciate," he said. TBBC has become a social media sensation because of its larrikin humour. Followers share their own birding finds with Mr Wells, including British actor Sean Bean, who hosts the Get Birding podcast. "When Boromir from Lord of the Rings [Sean Bean] is commenting on your stuff, you're pretty excited!" Mr Wells said.
Mr Wells said while birdwatching had taken him to "amazing places," it allowed him to spend time with mates and have a laugh. "It's good, clean fun," he said. Ms Van Jones hoped birdwatching encouraged people to be more environmentally aware. "There are so many threats to the natural world and, through connection, they start to care and be the future champions for the environment," she said.
Why This Matters:
This birdwatching boom demonstrates how individuals respond to challenges through personal initiative rather than government programs. Young Australians are spending their own money on travel to regional areas like Broome, supporting charitable organisations like the Broome Bird Observatory without requiring taxpayer subsidies. The movement shows market-driven solutions to mental health and environmental awareness—people voluntarily choosing outdoor activities that benefit both personal well-being and conservation. It's a reminder that civil society and individual choice often solve problems more effectively than institutional intervention. The economic benefits flow directly to regional tourism operators and wildlife education centres that operate independently, creating jobs and supporting research through private donations and visitor fees rather than government grants.